Premium performance ball joint and system

ABSTRACT

Ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change them.

This application claims priority from and is a continuation applicationof U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,642, filed Sep. 6, 2011, currently pending,which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/316,160, filedDec. 10, 2008, now abandoned, which is a continuation application ofU.S. Ser. No. 10/050,834, filed Jan. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.7,927,035.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein deals with premiumperformance ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspensionsystems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints,systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racingvehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additionalfeature, the products of this invention are especially appreciatedbecause of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change the balland shaft (ball stud combination) in the ball joints. The ball stud iswhat is damaged in accidents, and, it wears out first from normal use.Thus, the ability to change the ball stud rather than changing theentire ball joint is a decided advantage of this invention.

Unlike the lower ball joints, upper ball joints do not have the loadbetween the sprung mass of the vehicle and the suspension spring to keepthem seated. Most prior art ball joints used in the upper ball jointposition use an internal spring over the ball and in the void spaceabove the ball to hold the ball in place. In high cornering situations,the lateral force on the ball joint creates sufficient force to compressthe spring and unseat the ball. This problem makes it impossible tomaintain the optimum camber in the tire to maximize the tire contactpatch on the roadway. This movement also causes minor directionalchanges in the automobile steering that are detrimental to stability ofthe automobile. Thus, the premium performance aspect of this inventionis based on the fact that prior art ball joints used for the sameapplications, all have a mechanical means for applying pressure to theball within the ball joint to accommodate wear as the ball joint is inuse, while the ball joint of this invention has no such mechanicalmeans. The lubricants that are commonly used in these types of balljoints provide the pressure, required within the inventive ball jointfor accommodating the wear of the ball joints of this invention. Theresult is a ball that has minimal restriction in movement because of thereduction in friction and is therefore essentially “free-wheeling”within the housing in which it is contained, thus, providing ease ofsteering.

Original equipment manufactured ball joints of the prior art createinconsistent amounts of resistance to suspension movement, mostfrequently around twenty pounds, while the ball joints of this inventionhave less than one pound of resistance. This is important to racedrivers, as shock and spring rates are critical to within five pounds.It is not conceivable that automobile handling advantages could be builtinto the automobile by making small, spring and shock rate changes whilethe ball joints are gradually losing resistance, or “freeing up” as theywear. The ball joints of this invention greatly reduce the “movingresistance target” caused by prior art tight ball joints.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that ball joints and systems employing them are used infront wheel suspension of automotive vehicles. The ball joint lendsflexibility for steering the wheels while accommodating changes inangles between the wheel and the suspension members. In conventionalball joints, a pin or shaft on which the wheel is mounted carries aball, which is rigid with the shaft, the ball being housed in a housingwherein the ball is seated and retained. During both rotation andpivoting of the elongated shaft, the surface of the ball slides over alining of the housing.

Typically, prior art ball joints are all constructed such that they havean open space or void at the top of the ball, wherein there is typicallyplaced a means for asserting pressure on the top of the ball toaccommodate any wear on the ball.

Such means are, for example, springs under tension, which are placed onthe top of the ball and retained by some kind of insert over the top ofthe ball. Also known by the inventors herein are ball joints in whichthe pressure is provided by compressible nylon particles that aresituated in the open space and impinge on and essentially surround theexposed top surface of the ball.

All such ball joints require lubrication, and some means is provided toallow for the lubricant to be injected into the housing and onto andaround the ball of the ball joint. Further, the ball per se oftencontains shallow, usually disconnected, channels in which the lubricantcan take up residence. These channels help a situation that can occur inthe ball joint in which the lubricant, contained within the housing, canblock off all air into the housing and create a vacuum within thehousing, which provides a lock. This lock is experienced when one triesto put grease into the housing, as the grease gun connector locks ontothe grease zerk fitting and cannot be removed. The grooves not onlyprovide a channel for the grease to reach the ball, but they also createvents that allow the grease to enter the ball joint housing and air toescape.

The instant invention eliminates or reduces the above-mentioned problemswith ball joints and provides a premium performance ball joint whereinthe ball and shaft is easily installed, removable, and easily replacedwithout having to replace the entire ball joint, and, furthermore, theball joint system provides premium performance in the operation ofautomobiles.

THE INVENTION

This invention deals with novel ball joints, novel systems employing theball joints, and suspension systems for automotive uses that employ thenovel ball joint systems. More specifically, there is provided a balljoint comprising in combination an elongated shaft having an upper endand a lower end and having a longitudinal axis running through saidupper end and said lower end, wherein the elongated shaft has threads onits lower end. There is in addition, a ball rigidly fixed and surmountedon the upper end of the elongated shaft. The ball, at the highest pointopposite the attachment of the elongated shaft, has a truncated flatface.

There is also a retaining member having an upper surface and a lowerend. The retaining member is provided with a lubricating port located,in the upper surface of the retaining member. The lubricating port isopenly connected to a duct, the duct necessarily providing a passagewayfor lubricants from the lubricating port to the truncated flat face ofthe ball. The retaining member is externally threaded on the retainingmember lower end.

There is a housing having an outside surface, a middle portion, and alower end. The housing is internally conformed at the lower end to seatthe ball and retain it in the housing, and the seat allows a pivotalmovement of the ball about the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaftrelative to the housing. The middle portion of the housing is internallythreaded to receive the retaining member and the middle portion isexternally threaded on the outside surface. Finally, there is afastening means for fastening the retaining member in the housing.

In another embodiment, there is a combination of the ball jointdescribed just above, and a socket to provide a ball joint system. Thesocket comprises a cylindrical housing having a wall with an internalsurface wherein the internal surface is threaded to receive the housingin it and the socket has a means of attachment for attachment near aterminal end of a carrier for the ball joint system.

Finally, there is an additional embodiment of this invention that is anautomotive suspension system incorporating the ball joint systemsdescribed just above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a full view of a ball joint system of this invention that isfully assembled.

FIG. 2 is a full view of the ball and the elongated shaft of thisinvention.

FIG. 3 is a full view of the housing of this Invention.

FIG. 4 is a full top view of the housing of this invention without theretaining member in place.

FIG. 5 is a full top view of the housing of this invention with theretaining member in place.

FIG. 6 is a full cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 4 throughthe line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a full view of the retaining member of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a full cross-sectional view of the retaining member of FIG. 7through the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is a full view of a fully assembled ball joint system of thisinvention and including the socket.

FIG. 9B is a full view of a fully assembled ball joint system of thisinvention and including the socket wherein the elongated shaft is longerthan the elongated shaft of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a full top view of the socket of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing of one type of automotive suspensionsystem showing the use of the ball joint systems of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a full view in perspective of a portion of the suspensionsystem of FIG. 11, wherein there is shown a wishbone support armcontaining a ball joint system of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a full top view of the wishbone support arm of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the Figures, and with reference to FIGS. 1, 9A and 9B,which are full views of ball joint systems 27 and 27A of this inventionthat are fully assembled components thereof, comprising elongated shafts2 and 2 a and in FIG. 1, the ball 3 (only a portion of the bottom of theball is shown therein), the housing 4, with external threads 5, aretaining member 6, and a fastening means 7, which is a set screw 8 setinto a threaded (not shown) opening 9, in an upper flange 10 of thehousing 4.

It should be noted that the elongated shaft 2 is threaded at its lowerend 11, and there is an opening 12 through the threaded portion 13 ofthe elongated shaft 2 to accommodate a cotter pin (not shown), or thelike, to retain a nut 31 (see FIG. 9), which in turn retains theelongated shaft 2 in a portion of a suspension system that is discussedbelow. It is contemplated within the scope of this invention to provideball joints wherein the shafts 2 are provided in various lengths (See,for example, FIGS. 9A and 9B wherein elongated shaft 2 a is longer thanelongated shaft 2 of FIG. 9A). The reason for the various lengths isthat in racing, it is desirable to alter the suspension angles andpositions to affect handling, i.e., roll centers, camber gain and otherrelated geometry. Having ball joints with variable length shafts givesthe users an option for altering the suspension geometry of theautomobile using the ball joints. Currently, racers will change or alterthe spindles to make the same geometry changes, and this provides anincreased cost, as the spindles are about 6 to 7 times more expensivethan the ball joints of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a full view of the combination 1 of the ball 3 and theelongated shaft 2 without the remainder of the components being shown,for clarification. Thus there is shown the ball 3, the elongated shaft3, a truncated flat surface 14 at the topmost point of the ball 3, andthe treaded portion 13 at the lower end 11, along with the opening 12.

What is meant by “longitudinal axis running through said upper end andsaid lower end” is shown by the line 300-300 in FIG. 2, which indicatesthe principal axis that the ball 3 would revolve around, it beingunderstood that the ball will tilt from this axis within the housing 4to provide flexibility in the ability of the ball 3 to coordinate withthe suspension systems noted infra, and the degree of movement withinthe housing 4 is limited only by the contact of the elongated shaft 3with the lower edge 15 of the housing 4, and/or the connection that theelongated shaft 3 has with the suspension system and the wheel 33 shownin FIG. 11.

It should be noted that the preferred combination of ball 3 andelongated shaft 2 is that in which the two are joined as a unitarycomponent. This combination is manufactured from hardened steel or thelike to endure the wear that usually accompanies such devices. Thetruncated flat surface 14 is provided so that there is a space or void25 (see FIG. 8) formed above the ball 3 when in the housing 4. The space25 is intended to contain lubricant, namely, a thickened oil or greasewhich is not shown in this Figure, but which can be any common lubricantknown in the art. Filling the void 25 above the truncated surface 14allows for pressure to be applied to the ball 3, while in the housing 4,and is employed to help seat the ball in the seat 18 (see FIG. 4)provided at the lower end of the housing 4. The pressure created bylubricants inserted into the void 25 is also a means to help adjust theball 3 in the housing 4 to accommodate for any wear an the ball 3. Asfar as is known by the inventors herein, this means of accommodating forwear on the ball 3 is not known independently of mechanical means, or asa sole means for providing such pressure.

The housing 4, which houses and seats the ball 3 is shown in FIG. 3.With reference to this Figure, there is shown the threaded exteriorsurface 5, which inserts into the socket 16, that is described infra,the lower edge 15, which in this Figure is beveled to fit into thebottom of the socket 16, the flange 10 which is configured such that itcan be used to turn the housing 4 into the socket 16, and in thisFigure, the flange 10 is shown as a hexagon configuration. Anyconvenient configuration that allows the turning of the housing 4 iscontemplated within the scope of this invention. The threaded exteriorsurface 5 used to attach the housing to the support arm of a suspensionsystem. This means for attaching the housing to the support arm of thesuspension system is external threads 5 on the external surface of themiddle portion of the housing. In the side surface of the flange 10,there is shown a fastening means for the housing 4, to retain theretaining member 6 in the housing 4, which fastening means 7 iscomprised of a simple set screw combination wherein there is shown thethreaded opening 9, into which a set screw 8 is inserted and turned downto complete the fastening.

The type of fastening means 7 is not critical in this invention, and anyfastening means which will secure the retaining member 6 in the housing4 and which is fairly simple to use, is acceptable.

With reference to FIG. 4, which is a top view of the housing 4, there isshown the flange 10, the fastening means opening 9, in phantom, theinternal threads 17 for accommodating the external threads 18 of theretaining member 6, and the seat 18 for the ball 3, which is locatednear the bottom edge 15 of the housing 4.

Further, with reference to FIG. 5, which is a top view of the housing 4,wherein there is shown the flange 10, therein is situated in the housing4, a retaining member 6, wherein there is shown the top 19 of theretaining member 6, a concavity 20 in the top 19, and detachedly fixedin the concavity 20, a grease zerk fitting 21. Generally, such greasezerk fittings 21 are threaded and screwed into a threaded opening andthat is contemplated within the scope of this invention as well as anyconvenient means of inserting and fastening the grease zerk fitting 21.Also shown in this Figure are indentions 22, which are indented in thewall of the concavity 20, which indentions 22 are useful for applying awrench or some other viable means to turn the retaining member 6 in andout of the housing 4. The indentions 22 are not critical to thisinvention and can be optionally included in the retaining member 6, andcan be configured other than as an indention as shown.

Reference should also be made to FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional viewof the housing 4, taken through line 6-6 of FIG. 4, wherein there isshown the flange 10, the opening 9, the set screw 8 tail end, theexternal threads 5, and the internal threads 17, which accommodate theexternal threads 24 of the retaining member 6 (see also FIGS. 7 and 8).

With further reference to the retaining member 6, reference should bemade to FIG. 7, which is a full view of the retaining member 6, showingthe top 19 and the external threads 24. FIG. 8 is a full cross-sectionalview of the retaining member 6 through line 8-8 of FIG. 7, wherein,there is shown the top 19, the external threads 24, the concavity 20,and the grease fitting 21. Also shown is the duct 23, which carrieslubricant applied to the grease fitting 21 to be carried to the void 25(see FIG. 8), wherein the ball 3 is shown and wherein the majority ofthe lubricant resides. Also shown in FIG. 6 are the shallow channels 26which in the prior art ball joints are typically placed into the ball 2,but which in this invention are placed in the interior of the socket 16.The reason for this placement of the shallow channels 26 is primarilycost, as placing the shallow channels 26 in the socket 16, means thatexpensive machining does not have to be done in the ball 2, which is thepart that is replaced more often.

Turning now to FIG. 9A, there is shown a full view of the fullyassembled ball joint system 27 wherein components shown therein havelike numbers for like components as shown in FIG. 1, except, there isshown in addition, the socket 16, into which the ball joint system 27 isscrewed pursuant to the internal threads 28 of the socket 16, and theexternal threads 5 on the housing 4. The socket 16 is comprised of ahollow cylinder housing, which has a sidewall 29 and an upper rim 30.The socket 16 is fastened securely into the support arms of a suspensionsystem of an automobile or truck, which automotive suspension system isillustrated in the schematic drawing of FIG. 11. The ball joint system27 can be used for both the upper and lower support arms configuration.The fully assembled ball joint system 27 is then turned into the socket16 and is secured 15 to the socket 16 by any conventional securingmeans, such as set screws, retainer rings, or the like. Also shown inassociation with the ball joint system 27 of FIG. 9 is a threaded nut31, which can be turned onto the threads 13 of the elongated shaft 2 forattachment to a support means (axle stud) of a wheel of an automobile,and thereafter, the nut 31 is secured thereon by the insertion of acotter pin, or the like, through the opening 12.

Finally, turning to FIG. 11, there is shown a schematic drawing of onetype of automotive suspension system 32, in which there is shown as themain components therein, a fully mounted wheel 33 for the automobile, asupport stud (axle) 34 for the wheel 33, wishbone support arms, upper35, and lower 36, a strut or shock absorber 37, having an surroundingauxiliary spring 38, a support mechanism 39 that is attached to theframe of an automobile (not shown), an upper ball joint system 40, and alower ball joint system 41, wherein the support arms 35 and 36 do notshow as being attached to the lower and upper ball joint systems, 40 and41, respectively, in order to more clearly show the total configurationof the suspension system. The openings in the support arms 35 and 36 areshown in phantom as 42 and 43, respectively. In actual use, the sockets16 for both the upper 40 and the lower 41 ball joint systems wouldnormally be inserted in the openings 42 and 43 respectively.

FIG. 12 is a full view in perspective of a wishbone support arm 35 or 36with the ball joint system, either the upper 40, or the lower 41,inserted therein. In addition, FIG. 13 shows a full top view of thewishbone of FIG. 12, wherein the ball joint system 40 or 41 is clearlyvisible. The support arms 35 and 36 are securely attached to the frameof the vehicle by the bar 45, while the respective ends 44 and 46 areconstructed to allow the rotation of the arms 35 and 36 per se to rotatearound the bar 45 in an up and down mode for the support arms pursuantto the movement of the wheel 33 and support stud 34 while in use thevehicle is in use. This is also shown in FIG. 13.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suspension system for a vehicle comprising: awishbone arm having a threaded socket portion; and a ball joint assemblythreaded to the threaded socket portion of the wishbone arm, said balljoint assembly is operable to be serviced by having one or morecomponents replaced, the ball joint assembly including: a housing havinga socket at one end, internal threads positioned apart, from the socket,and external threads that mate with the threaded socket portion of saidwishbone arm, a ball stud having a threaded portion for engaging a drivemember, a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing, anda flat surface, a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with theinternal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a greaseport for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 2.The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, further comprising a lockingmember for securing the retainer to the housing.
 3. The suspensionsystem as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a member to aid inturning the retainer in and out of the housing.
 4. The suspension systemas clamed in claim 1, further comprising a second wishbone arm and asecond ball joint assembly threaded to the wishbone arm.
 5. Thesuspension system as clamed in claim 1, further comprising a shock. 6.The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, wherein said ball stud canbe easily removed from said housing, and a replacement ball stud can beinserted into said housing.
 7. The suspension system as clamed in claim1, wherein said housing can be secured to said wishbone arm while a newreplacement ball stud can be inserted into the housing once the ballstud has been removed.
 8. A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:a wishbone arm having a portion for releasably securing a ball jointassembly to the wishbone arm; and a ball joint assembly releasablysecured to the wishbone arm, the ball joint assembly including: ahousing having an internal cavity with a socket, internal threadspositioned apart from the socket, and a portion for being releasablysecured to the wishbone arm; a ball stud having a ball portion formating with said socket of said housing; a retainer having a threadedportion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, saidretainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a voidwithin said ball joint assembly.
 9. The suspension system as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said ball joint assembly can be quickly removed fromsaid suspension system and another ball joint system can be installed.10. The suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein while thehousing stays secured to said wishbone arm, the ball stud can be removedfrom said housing and a replacement ball stud can be installed in thehousing.
 11. The suspension system as claimed in claim 8, furthercomprising a member for securing said retainer to said housing.
 12. Aball joint system for a vehicle comprising: a receiving ring having athreaded portion; and a ball joint secured to the receiving ring, theball joint including: a housing having an internal cavity with achamber, internal threads for receiving a retainer, and a threadedportion for being releasably secured to the threaded portion of thereceiving ring; a stud having a ball portion for mating with said cavityof said housing; a retainer having a threaded portion for mating withthe internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having agrease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball jointassembly.
 13. The ball joint system as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidreceiving ring is a part of a vehicle suspension member.
 14. The balljoint system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said retainer cars foeunthreaded from said housing allowing said stud to be removed from saidhousing, and a replacement stud can be inserted inside said housing andthe retainer secured to said housing.
 15. The ball joint system asclaimed in claim 12, wherein said stud has an elongated shaft thatextends through said housing and a threaded portion for being secured toa vehicle component.
 16. A ball joint assembly for use in a suspensionsystem for a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a housing having aninternal cavity with a socket, and internal threads positioned apartfrom the socket; a first ball stud having a first length and ballportion for mating with said socket of said housing; a retainer having athreaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing,said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to avoid located between said ball stud and a wall of said retainer; alocking member for securing said retainer to said housing; and a secondball stud having a second length, said second ball stud can be installedto replace said first ball stud.
 17. The ball joint assembly for use ina suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein thehousing can be threaded to a suspension arm of a vehicle.
 18. The balljoint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimedin claim 16, further comprising a lubricant.
 19. The ball joint assemblyfor use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 16,wherein said first length and said second length of said ball studs aredifferent.
 20. A universal ball joint system for a vehicle comprising: aball joint stud having a ball portion, an elongated shaft, and athreaded portion; a first housing having a cavity and internal threadsfor receiving a retainer; and a retainer having a threaded portion formating with the internal threads of said housing, wherein said universalball joint system can be modified so as to replace the first housingwith a second housing, second housing has different externalconfigurations than said first housing, said ball joint stud and saidretainer can be used with said second housing.
 21. metal ball jointcomprising in combination: an elongated shaft having an upper end and alower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end; a balllocated on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having acontinuous curved surface and further having a truncated flat surface; ahousing having an outside surface, a middle portion, an internal thread,and a lower end, said housing further having a curved seat disposed atan end of the housing to seat and engage a first portion of the curvedsurface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formedin the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but notpermitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotalmovement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing; a retainerhaving an upper surface, a lower end and a first thread, said retainerhaving a curved seat disposed at the lower end thereof to engage asecond portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the truncatedflat, the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the balland the housing via pressure of lubricant on the truncated flat of theball; a locking member removably maintaining the retainer in engagementwith the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed fromthe housing by removal of the locking member; and a lubricant zerk. 22.The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein said housing furthercomprises an attachment feature adapted for selective attachment of saidhousing to a support arm of a suspension system.
 23. The ball joint asclaimed in claim 22, where said attachment feature further comprises anexternal thread on the outside surface of the housing, said externalthread being capable of attaching the housing to an thread on an supportarm of the suspension system.
 24. The ball joint as claimed in claim 22,wherein said attachment feature further comprises a flange extendingfrom a portion of the housing that can be secured to the support arm byat least one detachable fastener.
 25. The ball joint as claimed in claim22, wherein said attachment feature further comprises a compression fitof the housing into at least one opening in a support arm.
 26. Anautomotive suspension system wherein there is provided a first balljoint system comprising a first metal ball joint and a second ball jointsystem comprising a second metal ball joint as claimed in claim
 21. 27.The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein the locking memberengages an upper surface of the retainer.
 28. The ball, joint as claimedin claim 21, further comprising a lubrication void located between theball and the retainer, the retainer and the housing being capable ofmaintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure oflubricant in the lubrication void on the ball.
 29. The ball joint asclaimed in claim 21, wherein the zerk is capable of permitting theadmission of a pressurized, lubricant such that the pressurizedlubricant exerts a pressure against the retainer and the ball tomaintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat ofthe housing.
 30. The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein saidlocking member and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated fromsaid housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from saidhousing, and a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing andthe retainer to be again secured to said housing.
 31. The ball joint asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the length of said elongated shaft and saidreplacement shaft are different.
 32. A metal ball joint for use with apressurized lubricant, the ball, joint comprising in combination: anelongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongatedshaft being threaded on the lower end; a ball surmounted on the upperend of the elongated shaft, said ball having a curved surface andfurther having a flat surface on the upper end of the elongated shaft; ahousing having an outside surface, a flange, a middle portion, a lowerend, and a first thread, said housing further having a curved seatdisposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curvedsurface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formedin the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but notpermitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotalmovement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing; a retainerhaving an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having a seatdisposed at the lower end thereof to seat and engage another portion ofthe curved surface of the ball adjacent the flat surface thereof and alubricating port passing through the retainer, the lubricating porthaving a passageway, said port permitting the admission of a pressurizedlubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure againstthe flat surface of the ball to maintain pressure on the ball tomaintain the ball against the seat of the housing, said retainer havinga second thread engageable with the first thread of the housing to trapthe ball within the housing and the retainer; the retainer being capableof maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via the pressureof the lubricant on the flat surface of the ball; and a fastenerreleasably engageable to the housing to selectively secure the retainerto the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed fromthe housing by removal of the fastener.
 33. The ball joint as claimed inclaim 32, wherein said housing further comprises an attachment featureadapted for selective attachment of said housing to a support arm of asuspension system.
 34. The ball joint as claimed in claim 32, whereinthe second thread of the retainer and the first thread of the housingare disposed partially around the ball when the second thread of theretainer is fully engaged with the first thread of the housing.
 35. Theball joint as claimed in claim 32, wherein said fastener and retainerare adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing saidelongated shaft to be removed from said housing, and a replacement shaftto be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be again securedto said housing.
 36. The ball joint claimed in claim 32, wherein theelongated shaft can be removed and replaced with another elongatedshaft.
 37. A metal ball joint for use as a component of a suspensionsystem, said ball joint comprising: a ball stud having an elongatedshaft portion with an upper end with a ball, and a threaded portion at alower end, said ball having a curved surface and a flat; a housinghaving an outside surface, an outwardly extending portion extending fromthe outside surface, a lower end and an internal thread; a first curvedseat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage thecurved surface of the ball; an opening formed in the first curved seatfor passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permittingpassage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement ofthe elongated shaft relative to the housing; an attachment feature thatis operable for selective attachment of said housing to a suspensionsystem; a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, saidretainer having an external thread, the external thread being engageablewith the internal thread of the housing to trap the ball within thehousing and the retainer, the retainer maintaining a seal between theball and the housing via pressure of a lubricant on the ball; a secondcurved seat disposed at the lower end of the retainer to seat and engagea second portion of the curved surface of the ball; a securing memberthreaded to the housing, the retainer can be selectively removed fromthe housing by removal of the securing member, wherein said securingmember and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from saidhousing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, areplacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer tobe secured to said housing.
 38. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37,where said attachment feature comprises an external thread on theoutside surface of the housing, said external thread being capable ofattaching the housing to a thread on a support arm of a suspensionsystem.
 39. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, wherein saidattachment feature comprises a flange extending from a portion of thehousing that can be secured to a support arm by at least one detachablefastener.
 40. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, wherein saidattachment feature comprises a compression fit of the housing into anopening in a suspension member.
 41. The ball joint as claimed in claim37, further comprising a lubricating port located in the upper surfaceof the retainer, the lubricating port providing a passageway fordelivering pressurized lubricant, said pressurized lubricant exerts apressure against the flat to maintain pressure on the ball.
 42. The balljoint as claimed in claim 37, wherein the length of said shaft and saidreplacement shaft are different.
 43. A metal ball joint for use with apressurized lubricant, the ball joint comprising in combination: anelongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongatedshaft being threaded on the lower end; a ball surmounted on the upperend of the elongated shaft, said ball having a curved surface andfurther having a flat surface on the upper end of the elongated shaft; ahousing having an outside surface, a flange, a middle portion, a lowerend, and a first thread, said housing further having a curved seatdisposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curvedsurface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formedin the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but notpermitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotalmovement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing; a retainerhaving an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having a seatdisposed at the lower end thereof to seat and engage another portion ofthe curved surface of the ball adjacent the flat surface thereof and alubricating port passing through the retainer, the lubricating porthaving a passageway, said port permitting the admission of a pressurizedlubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure againstthe flat surface of the ball to maintain pressure on the ball tomaintain the ball against the seat of the housing, said retainer havinga second thread engageable with the first thread of the housing to trapthe ball within the housing and the retainer; the retainer being capableof maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via the pressureof the lubricant on the flat surface of the ball; and a fastenerreleasably engageable to the housing to selectively secure the retainerto the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed fromthe housing by removal of the fastener.